The defence officials on Friday tested a new technology in a bid to incorporate ‘guidance system’ in the advanced version of indigenously built Pinaka rocket system. The new technology in Pinaka was successfully tested from a defence base off the Odisha coast. Two rounds of the rocket were fired from the test range of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur-on-sea.

Defence sources said the rockets were fired from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) at 11.35 am and 01.15 pm. The tests were conducted by both the PXE and Integrated Test Range (ITR). The mission validated all parameters as coordinated by the Pinaka team. “Since guided Pinaka is coming up in future, they are capturing data for further analysis. The data would be useful for the future guided flight. However, both the tests were successful as they had a good flight,” said a defence official denying to divulge details about the new technology.

The tracking radars have monitored the movements of the rockets till the point of impact. The advanced version of the rocket system has proved its efficiency and capability. The source informed that two more rounds of test have been planned on Monday. As per the specification, the MBRL can fire 12 rockets with 1.2 tonne of high explosives within 44 seconds and destroy a target area of four sqkm at a time. The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gives an edge to the Army during a low-intensity conflict situation.

Pinaka is the first indigenous rocket system successfully designed, developed and produced by the ARDE with the help of private industries. The system’s capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy their solid structures and bunkers. An earlier version of the rocket system, which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, has been inducted into the armed forces while the present trials are being conducted with some improvements in the system. The rocket system has been developed to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos.